M'SIAN EXHIBITORS AT ANUGA FOOD FAIR BAG GOOD BUSINESS

COLOGNE (Germany), Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian exhibitors at the ongoing
ANUGA Food Fair of Cologne, the world's biggest for food trade and industry,
bagged good business despite economic uncertainties in the developed markets,
particularly in the United States and Europe.

The 30 exhibitors of a wide range of food products at the five-day fair
scored well and are satisfied with their participation.

"Buyers were generally cautious about placing orders, but, as some
Malaysian exhibitors put it, "food is a necessity and you have to eat to
survive," they said.

An interesting feature in Malaysia's participation is the presence of the
former Malaysian national women hockey player-turned-entrepreneur, Robiah Mat,
managing director of Ampang-based Beispro Sdn Bhd.

Robiah, also selected for a special Matrade programme called "Malaysia Women
Entrepreneur Development Project", was displaying her range of frozen food and
packaged ready-to-eat foodstuffs such as mushroom rendang, mixed vegetable dal,
peanut satay paste, prawn in hot gravy and glutinuous rice with coconut filling.

"We've been exporting to the United Kingdom, Australia, Brunei, Singapore
and Indonesia. Indeed, we've received enquiries from the United States for our
convenience food such as galangal puree and Malay delicacies.

"One company in Massachussetts and another one in Atlanta, Georgia, have
shown keen interest in our products. They were impressed with the simple yet
catchy packaging of our products.

"We also had officials from companies in Morocco, Dubai and Mauritius at our
booth," said Robiah, who also played for the Selangor state team for 11 years.

Robiah said she was pleased with her participation in the fair which
justified the time and money invested in coming to Cologne.

"The ANUGA has been better for us than SIAL (French food show in Paris). I
want to thank Matrade for its strong support," she said. Matrade is the
organising agency for Malaysia's participation in the fair.

Catherine Lee, export manager of Batu Caves-based Marine Gold Marketing Sdn
Bhd, was showcasing her sweet corn which was grown and harvested in the "natural
way", suggesting that her company refrained from using any chemicals or other
taste enhancing agents.

Her 24-year-old company supplies corn to both the domestic market in
Malaysia and to overseas buyers.

"We are exporting to the United States, Austria, the United Arab Emirates,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The ANUGA fair has been good for us.

Klang-based Megafoam Containers Enterprise Sdn Bhd was exhibiting its range
of disposable food packaging range, including cups, containers, customised
packaging for food service.

Managing Director Irene Wong said her company exported products to more than
50 countries worldwide. The company also introduced a unique biodegradable
material recently.

Adli Wong, marketing director of Selangor-based Coffeeland Wholesales and
Distribution Sdn Bhd, who was displaying ice-blended beverages, coffee,
non-coffee and tea range, said he would try to penetrate the European market
after his company had established itself in Asean countries.

-- BERNAMA